Wire splicing apparatus



March 3, 1953 Filed Feb. 25, 1948 R. M. GOODWIN WIRE SPLICING APPARATUSSheets-Sheet l WWWWWWWWW i i Q i 3 i I I I i I I I Q INVENTOR.

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March 3, 1953 R. M. caboowm 2,630,144

WIRE SPLICING APPARATUS FiledFeb. 25, 1948 a Sheets-Sheet 3 INV TOR. p ai vf/ March 3, 1953 R. M. GOODWIN WIRE SPLICING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25,1948 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 3, 1953 R. GOODWIN WIRE SPLICING APPARATUS 8Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 25, 1948 March 3, 1953 R. M. sooowm WIRESPLICING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Feb. 25, 1948 INVENTOR. 77

R. M. GQODWIN WIRE SPLICING APPARATUS March 3, 1953 Filed Feb. 25, 19488 Sheets-Sheet 7 March 3, 1953 R. M. GOODWIN 2,630,144

WIRE SPLICING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1948 BShGGbS-ShBBt 8 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Mar. 3, 1953 WIRE SPLICING APPARATUS Richard M. Goodwin,Anderson, Ind., assignor to General .Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich.,a

corporation of Delaware Application February 25, 1948, Serial No. 10,652

Claims. 1

This invention relates to the splicing of lead wires of electrical partssuch as generator field coils and an object of the invention is toprovide a machine by which splicing is facilitated. In the disclosedembodiment thereof the invention provides a conveyor having a pluralityof workholders each adapted to receive two electrical parts having leadwires to be joined, a plurality of wire twisting devices each associatedwith a work-holder and having an element for receiving the lead wires tobe twisted, means for effecting the operation of the lead wire twistingdevices as the conveyor moves along, and means for permanently unitingthe lead wires by melting them together.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings wherein a preferred em-- bodiment of the present invention isclearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a mechanism embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a rear view;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the machine frame and non-movable partssup-ported thereby;

Fig. 4 is a plan view in the direction of arrow 4' of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an end view in the direction of arrow 5 of Fig. 3-;

Fig- 6 is an enlargement of thatv portion of the machine included.within the dot dash rectangle B of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a view in the direction of arrow 1 of Fig. 6';

Fig. 8 is an enlargement of that portion of the machine included withinthe dot-dash rectangle 8 of Fig. l

Fig. 9 is a view in the direction of. the arrow 901 Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is. an enlarged view of the carrier showing coils in place fortwisting wire leads;

Fig. 11 is an enlargedview of wire leads twisted and fused together;

Fig. 12 is an enlargement of that portion. of Fig. 1 within thedot-dash. rectangle 12;

Fig. 13 is. a sectional view on the line 13 -13 of Fig. 12;

Fig, 14 is. an enlargement of that portion of Fig. 1 withinthedot-dashrectangle I 4;

Fig. 15 is, a view in the direction of arrow 15 of Fig, 1.4;,

Fig. 16. is. a sectional view on the line l6-|6 Fig. 1'7 is anenlargement of that portion of Fig. 16 within the dot-dash rectangle I!of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line I8I8 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a sectional view on the line 19-19 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is a sectional view on the line 20-20 of Fig. 18;

Figs. 21 and 22 together provide an enlargement of that portion of Fig.2 within the dotdash rectangle 21 of Fig. 2; a part of Fig. 22 being insection on the line 22-22 of Fig. 23;

Fig. 23 is a view in the direction of arrow 23 of Fig. 21;

Fig. 24 is a view in the direction of arrow 24 of Fig. 21

Figs. 25, 26, 2'7 and 28 are fragmentary sectional views respectively onthe lines 25-25, 215-46, 21-21 and28-28 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the machine frame comprises side platesand 31, each having a rectangular opening 29 (Fig. .3). At the edges oftheir openings 29, these plates are joined to plates 28, 21, 26 and 25thus providing leg room for operators who are seated on stools in frontof the machine (Figs. 1 and 3) and whose feet rest upon the plate 25.The plates 30 and 3| are welded to plates 32 and 33 respectively and toplates 34 and 35 respectively and to plates 36 and 3'! respectively.Near the top thereof the plates 30 and 3| are connected by a channel 38which extends longitudinally. Plates 30 and 3| are maintained in spacedrelation also by spacer rods 39 (Fig. 7) through which bolts 40 extend.Each of said bolts threadedly receive nuts 41 which when tightenedagainst the reenforcing plates such as 32 and 33 (Fig. 7) for example,force the plates 30 and 31 against the spacer 39.

As shown in Fig. 7 plates 32 and 33 are welded to spacers 42 and 43respectively which are welded to brackets 44 and 45 respectively whichare attached to a base which supports longitudinally extending plates 51and 52 having functions to be described. Plates 34 and 35 are weldedrespectively to spacers 46 and 41 (Fig. 5) which are welded to brackets48 and 43 respectively which are secured to the base 50. Channel 38(Figs. 4 and 5) supports a conveyor chain track 54 which supports andguides an endless double chain 55 represented by the dot-dash line 55 inFigs. 1 and 2. Chain 55 passes around four double sprockets 56,57, 58and 59. Sprocket 51 (Figs. 6 and 7) is supported by a shaft 51sjournaled in bearings 39 and 6| supported respectively by plates 32 and33. Sprocket 58 (Figs. 8 and 9) is supported by ashaft 583 journaled inbearings 52 and 53 supported respectively by plates 32 and 93. Sprocket59 (Figs. 1 and 2) is supported by a shaft 59s journaled in bearings 94(Fig. 2) and 55 (Fig. 1) supported by plates 95 and B! respectivelyguided by parallel ways 89 and 99 respectively which slide across slots19 and 'II respectively (Figs. 2 and 3) in plates 39 and 3!respectively. These slots receive the shaft 595. The chain 55 can betightened by turning screws 12 and 73 respectively threaded through lugs14 and I5 respectively welded to plates 34 and 35 respectively andengaging lugs I9 and ii respectively welded to plates 66 and 9'!respective y.

The plate 39 (Figs. 2 and 13) provides a mounting pad 18 for the gearreducer housing I9 which supports an electric motor 89. Motor 89 drivesa worm 8! meshing with a worm wheel 82 which drives a shaft 83 connectedby a sprocket 84, a chain 95 and a sprocket 99 with a shaft 598 which issupported by bearings 88 and 89 supported by plates 35 and 31respectively. Key 81 connects sprocket 89 with shaft 598. S rocket 59 isnot directly connected with shaft 598 but through a torque limitingclutch which comprises a driving member 99 that is connected with shaft59s by keys 9! which provide a longitudinal spline connection bet eenthe shaft and the member 99. The member 99 has teeth for engaging atoothed member 92 which screws 93 attach to the sprocket 59 whichcarries a bushing 59a. Bushing 59a supporting sprocket 59 also acts asspacer be tween s rockets 99 and 59 iourna ed on the shaft 59s. Clutchmerrber 99 is urged into engagement with clutch member 92 by a spring 94retained under compression by a nut 95 threadedly connected with theshaft 59.; and prevented from turning by a set screw 99. Independentlyof t e clut h member 99, lateral motion of the g ar 59 is limited by aring 91 connected with shaft 59s by a pin 99. The direction of themovement of t e conveyor is indicated by arrows a. b, c and d (Figs. 1and 2). In case such move ent is accidentally stopped while the motor 99i running, the clutch member 99 will separate from the clutch member 92against the action of s ring 34 which is ad usted by the nut 95 so thatthe clutch will trans it the torcue normally required for movement of thconveyor.

The conveyor chain 55 moves a plurality of workolders 599 (Fig. 13) eachcomprising a base plate I 9| connected with the conveyor chain b an lesI92. Each p ate I9I supports a tray I 93 (Fig. 16) for receiving twoelectrical parts such as field coils having lead wires to be joined.Tray I93 is s a ed from the base I9I by washers I94. Screws I95 passthrough washers I96, slots I91 in tray I93 and through the spacingwashers Hi4 and a e th eaded into the base I9I. As shown in Figs. andthe coils C1 and G2 which are placed in a workholder engage the washersI99 which maintain se aration of the adjacent lower portions of thecoils. By loosening screws I95 the tray can be adjusted transversely ofchain 55. The chain has rollers 55a which engage the track o4 therebysup-porting the conveyor and workholders on the upper run.

Each tray I93 carries a block I19 (Figs. 15 and 16) of somewhattriangular formation. Bar I9I carries a block III supporting a. cap IIIaconnected with the bloc II I by screws I I lb and dowel pins IIIc. BlockIII and cap Illa provide a bearing for a shaft I I2 having a groove II2brectangular in cross section receiving a square rod or shaft II3provided at its left end (Fig. 17) with an eye H4 and attached at itsright end to a grooved wheel II 5 secured by a set screw HE. A bar IIZa(Figs. 17 and 29) is press fitted into the groove H21) and is solderedto shaft I I2 in order to prevent lateral movement of the rod II3. Apinion H1 is attached to the shaft II2. Pinion II! is provided with ahole II8 which receives a projection N9 of a slide I29 urged into pinionlocking position by a spring I2I received by recess in the slide andsurrounding a pin I22 attached to a lug I23 integral with a pin I24forced into a hole in the base I9I. A notch I25 (Fig. 17) in base I9Ireceives a stud I29 attached to slide I29. Stud I29 carries a roller I21for engaging cam bar I28 (Figs. 14 and 15) having an inclined surfaceI29. The pinion I I1 is engageable with a rack comprising rollers I3Ijournaled on pins I32 supported by screws I33 attached to a plate I39attached to plate 3I. The locking slide I29 (Fig. 1'?) holds the pinionII'I normally in the position shown in Fig. 14 at II1. While roller I2!is engaging the cam surface I29 of bar I29 to unlock the pinion II'I,its teeth are engaged by a plate I35 (Fig. 14) secured by screws I36 ofplate 3!. As the pinion III leaves the upper surface of plate I35 itbegins to engage the first roller I3I of the rack. Therefore the pinionII! is turned counterclockwise as the conveyor moves in the direction ofarrow a (Figs. 1 and 14). The purpose of this rotation is to twist leadwires of the electrical coils C1 and C2 which have been placed in thetray, as shown in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 also shows that these lead wires WIand W2 have been threaded through an eye I I4. While the pinion isrotated the lead wires will be twisted and the twist will run up to theblock III] and this twist will extend from the block II9 downwardly asviewed in Fig. 15, or to the right as viewed in Figs. 25 through 28, and16. As the twist increases in length it is necessary to increase thedistance between the block I I 9 and the eye II4. For this purpose thegrooved wheel IIE engages a bar I40 which is shaped as shown in Fig. 4.As the conveyor moves the wheel I15 follows the bar I49 from a positionI I5 (Fig. 26) in which the eye H4 is closest to the block H9 to aposition II5" (Fig. 27) in which the eye H4 is furtherest from the blockI I9. Therefore, the twist of the leads WI and W2 extends substantiallystraight from the block H9. A bar I49 is welded to angles I42 whichscrews I43 secure to plate 3I. During the twisting operation the bearingcaps II Ia are engaged by a bar I45 into which screws I49 are threaded.These screws pass through brackets I 41 which screws I48 attach tochannel 39 (Fig. 26) and which screws I49 attach plate 3|. Springs I59surrounding screws I46 urge the bar I45 against the bearing caps IIIa.The function of bar I45 is to hold the pinion I I! in proper engagementwith the rack rollers I3I and the roller H5 in proper enga ement withthe track I49.

After the twisting operation the twisted lead wires are fused togetherby an oxy-acetylene torch I5I supported by bracket I52 supported by abent rod I53 (Fig. 21) attached to a carriage I54 which is guided formovement parallel to the conveyor chain 55 by way bars I55 attached to aplate I55 which is welded to a plate I5? and braces I58. Plate I51 isattached by screws I59 to plate 36 and a channel 38, said screws passingthrough a spacer block I60: (Fig. 24). Carriage. I54 is urged normallyto the left. (Figs. 21, 2-2. and 23) by a spring IBI connected with rodI53 (Fig; 22) and at the other end to a bracket I62 (Fig; 2) attached toplate 36. As the workholder moves right, as viewed inl 'ig. 23, itsuccessively; picks up the-carriage I54. For, this purpose eachworkholder plate Itl is provided with a surface I66.

engageable with a bar I61 guidedby the carriage I54 for movementtransverse to the movement of the carriage. The bar lfii'is maintainedinthe normal position shown in Fig. 23 by spring I68 attached to a pinIfifl on the carriage I54: and to a pin I'll) provided by theupper endofa stud III passing through the slide I61 and securedby a nut I12. Thestud I'II carries a roller I13 for engaging a cam I I4 (Fig. 23) whichscrews I15. attach to a way plate I55. Cam I74 is provided with a slotI'IE (Fig. 21) through which, the screws I pass so that the cam I'M canbe ad.- justed. A workholder car IM begins to engage the bar It! when itis located aboutasshownin Fig. 23. The carriage I54. will move with, theworkholder until disengaged therefrom. The disengagement of the carriageI54froma bar IDI is effected by the engagement of roller I13 with cam IMwhich causes thebar I61 to be retracted from the surface I66 of theworkholder bar IIiI whereupon the spring IEI pulls the, carriage I5 1back to its starting position. This back. or left movement of thecarriage I54 (Fig. 23) is retarded by a dashpot comprising a piston I82attached to carriage I54 and. a cylinder I83 which screws IllI attach toplate 38. The left end of,

cylinder I3 3 is closed by a cap. I 63 having an orifice IS I closed bya plug I85. The retarding action by the dashpot is greatest when theplug I85 is inserted inthe cap I83. If less retarding movement is foundnecessary, the plug can be removed and the cap I83 with proper sizeorifice can be used without the plug. Retardation of return movement ofthe carriage IE5 is required in order that the flame from the torch willnot be blown out. the carriage I54 are traveling together the fiame fromthe torch I5! is heating the twisted leads of copper wire to the meltingpoint. so that, they fuse together and melt oif up to a certain,distance from block III) upon which the leads rest. The portion that ismelting off, drops through. an

opening at I913 in channel 33 (Fig. 23) and descends into a tray I2!resting on a shelf I32 (Fig. 5) supported by plate 3!. The machine isprotected from the heat of the flame by a, heat insulating plate I93(Figs. 5, 27 and 28) attached to a plate I94 welded to the channel 38.The duration of the application of the torch flame to the work isdetermined by the location of cam Ill (Figs. 21, 23) which can beadjusted. The distances from the twisted, fused leads to the coils C1,C2 are fairly uniform due to the fact that, during twisting, the coilsare being drawn toward the block IIII (Fig. 15) while their lowerportions are separated by the Washers I05.

After the fusing operation, the fused wires are bent around the bar I I9(Fig. 28) by a roller 2% pivoted on a screw Etta threaded into a lever28! pivotally supported at 252 by a bracket 293 attached to plate 3'5.Bracket 293 supports a plate 235 carrying a screw 2% connected by aspring fill with a cotter pin 2G8 attached to the lever 2M. Spring urgesthe lever 20I against the stop screw 2% threaded through a lug 2H] ofbracket 2%. During movement of the conveyor, the fused lead wires areengaged by the roller Edi! and are bent around the block H0. DuringWhile the workholder- I00 and this operation the block IlIlcams rodj2llll counterclockwise (Fig; 28,) against the action of spring 201..

Priorto the fusingoperation the roller I21 (Figs. 14 and 1'7) passesfrom the cam plate I28; and, when it does so, the hole in the gear I I Iis in registrywith the locking lug H9 of the slide I20 so that thepinions I I! of all the workholders are prevented from rotating duringthe time they pass from the left end of the bar I25, marked I23 inFig,1, until they arrive at the plate I35 (Fig. 14) which prevents rotationuntil the pinion begins toengagethe right-hand roller I3I. The left endof the track M0 is bent as indicated at [4011. (Fig. 4) so as to causethe roller H5 to move from the position H5" (Fig. 27) to the positionshown in H5 (Fig. 28) thereby locatingtheeye H4 at its starting positionclosest to the block- III), As the workholders pass downwardly,asindicatedby arrow b (Fig. 1) and to the right, as indicated by arrowc,,and then up, as indicated by arrow d, there is nothing to keep theroller I Win the position I I5'; but, in order to insure its return tothe inmost position before the roller H5 engages the right end of barIMI-areturn track 2 I I is attached to plate 3 I. At the entrancethereof the track 2H is provided with camming surfaces 2 I2 and 2 l3(Fig. 4) which; guide the wheel H5 into the main groove N4 of the trackwhich places the wheel in posi tion to engage the right end of the trackbar I40. During movement of the workholders on the lower run. of theconveyor the conveyor chain may sag somewhat but the workholders canengage the plate 52 andthe bearing caps IIIa can engage the bar 5| (Fig,7).

Themachine is attended by two operators that sit on stools in front ofthe machine as shown in Fig. 1, their feet resting on the plate 25. Theri ht Operator places a right field coil C1 (Fig. 1) in. a tray I03 andpasses one of its leads WI through the eye H4. The left operator placesthe left coil C2 in the tray and passes one of its leads W2 through theeye 5.14. After the twisting and burning operations have been performedin the manner described, the pair of coils gravitate from the workholderwhen it is in position Iota (Fig. 1) into a chute 2263 supported byangles 22I attached to the plates 3iland.3l;. The bending of-t'he fusedleadsabout the workholder block H0 locate the leads in a better positionfor the handling of the coilsand also serves to fuse the leads from. theeye IIA in case they are not entirely freed from the eye by the fusingoperation.

While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed,constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other formsmight be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims whichfollow.

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A wire-splicing machine for uniting leads of electrical coilscomprising a continuously moving conveyor having work-holders forreceiving pairs of coils, each work-holder having a rotatable shaftprovided with a ring or eye through which the leads to be spliced arepassed, a gear connected with the shaft, a fixed rack engaged by thegear for effecting rotation of the shaft during a portion of movement ofthe work-holder in order to twist the leads together, a latch normallyengaging the gear to hold the shaft in a predetermined fixed position, acam follower connected with the latch, a cam engaged by the follower forretracting the latch before the gear engages the rack, a fixed memberengaged by teeth of the gear for preventing rotation thereof from theinstant the latch releases it until the gear engages the rack, said rackbeing of a length such that the gear is located by the rack, as the gearleaves it in said predetermined position, and said cam being of suchlength that the follower has left it when the gear leaves the rack inorder to permit the latch to reengage the gear when in saidpredetermined position.

2. A wire-splicing machine for uniting leads of electrical coilscomprising a continuously moving conveyor having work-holders forreceiving pairs of coils, each work-holder having a rotatable shaftprovided with a ring or eye through which the leads to be spliced arepassed, means for effecting rotation of the shaft during a portion ofmovement of the work-holder in order to twist the leads together, asecond shaft supporting the first shaft, a driving connection betweenthe two shafts which permit axial movement of the first shaft, a discattached to the first shaft, a gear attached to the second shaft, afixed rack engaged by the gear to effect rotation of the shafts during aportion of movement of the workholder, means for preventing rotation ofthe gear except when it engages the rack, a cam engaging the disc toeffect axial retraction of the first shaft from the work-holder whilethe first shaft is rotating and a cam for advancing the first shafttoward the work-holder preparatory to passing the coil leads through theeye of the first shaft.

3. A Wire splicing machine for unitary leads of electrical coilscomprising a continuously moving conveyor having work holders forreceiving a pair of coils, each Workholder having a rotatable shaftprovided with a ring through which leads to be spliced are passed; agear associated with the shaft for driving same; a rack engaging thegear for effecting rotation of the shaft during a portion of themovement of the workhclder in order to twist the leads together; a disccarried by the shaft; a cam engaging the disc for moving the shaftaxially from the workholder while the leads are being twisted together;and a second cam cooperating with the disc to move the shaft toward theworkholder preparatory to passing coil leads through the ring.

4. A wire-splicing machine for uniting leads of electrical coilscomprising a continuously moving conveyor having workholders forreceiving pairs of coils, each work-holder having a rotatable shaftprovided with a ring through which the leads to be spliced are passed;gear and rack means for effecting rotation of the shaft during a portionof movement of the workholder in order to twist the leads together; aburner for fusing the twisted leads together; a movable support for theburner, a biased latch associated with the support and located in thepath of movement for the workholder, said workholder engaging the latchfollowing the lead twisting movement to move the support so that theburner will fuse leads together; a cam follower connected to the latch;a cam engaged by the follower for retracting the latch after the supporthas moved a certain distance; and spring means connected with thesupport for returning same to its starting position.

5. A wire-splicing machine for uniting leads of electrical coilscomprising a continuously moving conveyor having workholders forreceiving pairs of coils, each work-holder having a rotatable shaftprovided with a ring through which the leads to be spliced are passed;gear and rack means for effecting rotation of the shaft during a portionof movement of the workholder in order to twistthe leads together; aburner for fusing the twisted leads together; a movable support for theburner; a biased latch associated with the support and located in thepath of movement for the workholder, said workholder engaging the latchfollowing the lead twisting movement to move the support so that theburner will fuse leads together; a cam follower connected to the latch;a cam engaged by the follower for retracting the latch after the supporthas moved a certain distance; spring means connected with the supportfor returning same to its starting position; and pivoted means forengaging the fused leads for causing the leads to bend away from thering as the conveyor moves.

RICHARD M. GOODWIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,270,129 Dwiggins June 18, 19181,336,159 Rice Apr. 6, 1920 1,496,559 Sleeper June 3, 1924 1,911,624Kukulenski May 30, 1933 1,913,904 Segur June 13, 1933 2,028,225 LarsonJan. 21, 1936 2,249,996 Wunderlich July 22, 1941 2,422,829 Fotie June24, 1947

